BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE president of Al-Azhar University in Cairo paid a visit to the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Islamic Exhibition Gallery (BPIS) at the Darulifta Brunei Darussalam complex yesterday.

Present to welcome Professor Dr Usamah Mohamed Mohamed Hassan Elabed was State Mufti Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Abd Aziz Juned.

The state mufti, who graduated from Al-Azhar University, spoke in Arabic with his guests.

The visit began with the handing over of locally published books and reading materials to the president.

This was followed by a tour of the gallery that features ancient manuscripts, walking sticks and prayer beads (tasbih), and gigantic and miniature Al- Quran.

The president later signed the visitors’ book.

According to Director of Administration at the State Mufti’s Office Dato Paduka Ahmad Bukhari Pehin Siraja Khatib Hj Abu Hanifah the president’s enthusiasm was evident during the visit.

“The president (of Al-Azhar University) was really pleased to see many Al-Azhar graduates (in the Sultanate),” he told The Brunei Times.

Professor Dr Usamah Mohamed was also impressed by the array of artefacts on show, and constantly expressed MasyaAllah in appreciation of such wonders.

Dato Ahmad Bukhari, who has been in service at the State Mufti’s Office since its establishment in 1994, also underscored the importance of the visit.

“The books handed to the Al-Azhar delegation (by the State Mufti) is published in Malay, English and Arabic,” the director said. “Our (the State Mufti’s Office) hope is that these locally published materials can be translated (excluding those already in Arabic) and used for research at Al-Azhar University.”

This is in line with a call made by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam to collect research material and promote academic findings in the Sultanate. The Darulifta gallery played a crucial role in promoting His Majesty’s leadership in upholding the beauty of Islam.

“The delegation may share their experiences of Darulifta,” he said. “Especially to those at Al-Azhar and to peers in Egypt on what is available in Brunei.”

The delegation from Egypt included Vice President (Education and Students Affairs) of Al-Azhar University Prof Dr Ibrahim Salah El-Sayed Soliman El-Hodhod; Vice President (Research and Postgraduate Studies) Prof Dr Tawfik Mohamed Noureldin and Secretary-General Mahmoud Abdelaal El-Sayed Shoaib.

The Brunei Times